Five small businesses making their dreams come true

People in regional, rural and remote Australia are to able to share their uniquely Australian stories, grow their businesses and connect with their communities – all using Facebook and Instagram.

Hard-working creatives are taking inspiration from both their surrounding landscape and a variety of locally-sourced materials, ingredients and more to make small business dreams come true – and business is booming.

You can browse these picks and more in Facebook’s first Annual Gift Guide, bursting with ideas for your Christmas stockings and all heralding from regional Australia.

The Windella Farm journey began in 2012 when Sarah Mostyn and her partner left behind a lifetime of city living for a tree change in Cohuna, North Central Victoria.

“While Cohuna is prime dairy cattle country, we had a vision to bring a different kind of dairy to the region...goats!” Sarah says.

“It was then a natural progression to harness the many benefits of goats milk.”

Windella Farm now produce a signature range of locally-sourced goats milk soap, specifically designed for tricky, hard-to-care-for skin, as well as a large range of luxury bath and body products.

The team at Windella deliberately forego mass production techniques and instead focus on utilising locally-sourced essential oils to enhance their range, with no artificial fragrance, colour, additives, detergents or petroleum products.

Windella Farm’s Goats Milk Soap, $6.00

Made from ultra-fine merino wool, Henry and Grace also developed their locally-sourced range of to look after skin – the team use Gostwyck Ultrafine Merino to create their baby clothing, designed with the ‘health and comfort of babies’ at the fore.

The exquisite merino garments have been refined through the generations, dating back to 1934 when Henry and Grace Dangar bought Gostwyck Farm in the high country of northern NSW. Henry Dangar was a pioneer in Merino sheep breeding and would go on to become one of the names that made Australia the world’s biggest producer of wool.

“Our merino far exceeds cotton and synthetic fibres in managing moisture, wicking moisture away from the skin to avoid irritation, and managing temperature, insulation the body from the outside environment to stay cool in summer and warm in winter,” says part-owner Philip Attard.

Kristal Spencer, of Winestains, agrees – “It’s a two way street,” she says.

Henry and Grace’s Boys Hoodie Jacket, $75.00

“When you’re able to see real people behind a business, it becomes quite powerful. Not only does it build trust, but they know what they’re buying into.”

Winestains produce a range of modern designs handcrafted from recycled wine barrels in the Barossa Valley by father and daughter duo, Peter and Kristal.

The inspiration for Winestains is the rich and vibrant Barossa Valley, where the pair aim to create lasting pieces using locally-sourced recycled wine barrels.

“Winestains is a unique Australian home-wares brand that values sustainable design and life’s simple pleasures; wine, food and great company,” Kristal says.

Winestains Barossa’s Circular Cheese Board with Handles, $179.00

The team behind Bush Medijina also look to their local landscape for inspiration, using native Australian bush produce as well as other materials to create their range of body products.

And the small not-for-profit indigenous enterprise gives back to the regions that inspire and supply them – the team are focused on “growing stronger, for our women, our culture and our communities.”

Bush Medijina was created by Warningakalina elders to address the need to build culture and capability across the archipelago to positively impact the livelihoods of women, children and families.

Bush Medijina’s Breathe Easy balm is infused into a base of organic coconut oil and enhanced with Australian eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils to create a lux experience for less.

Yummy Yarn and Co was established to fulfil a local, regional need for beautiful cottons and wool for knitters, crocheters, weavers and textile lovers in general.

Bush Medijina’s Breathe Easy Balm, $32.00

This luxurious yarn is made from Australian merino wool, a world-renown name thanks to the super softness of the material.

Australian wool growers use only the best and most superior fleece to make merino and it shows – Yummy Yarn & Co’s superfine merino is top quality and presented in shades like burnt orange, dark grape and jade.

Founder Robyn Hicks says she’s glad to offer the world her super-soft yarn, having grown her network of customers using Facebook and Instagram.

“I'm so happy I can supply my local area with quality cottons and wool,” she says.

Yummy Yarn & Co Yarn, $7.95 - $13.50

“But you don't have to live in my area to benefit from my beautiful yarns, you can also buy online!”

“Both Facebook and Instagram are used on a daily basis to interact with customers and potential customers both within Australia and worldwide. The platform allows the use of highly visual content to showcase both current and new products and highlight customers and projects from products available in the shop.”

You can browse these picks and more in Facebook’s first Annual Gift Guide, bursting with ideas for your Christmas stockings and all heralding from regional Australia.